NEWS For Immediate Release Dec. 8, 2017 SCAQMD Continues Smoke Advisory for Fire Burning in the Lake View Terrace, Sylmar, Santa Clarita, and Getty Center Areas This advisory is in effect through Saturday morning, Dec. 9. SCAQMD will issue an update if additional information becomes available. A brush fire, named the Creek Fire, is burning in Los Angeles County near Lake View Terrace and Sylmar. The burn area is currently reported to be approximately 15,000 acres with 40 percent containment. Strong northeast winds are expected to continue through at least Saturday afternoon bringing smoke into the western portion of Los Angeles County. Air quality may reach Unhealthy levels or higher in areas directly impacted by smoke. A second fire, named the Rye Fire, is burning in Los Angeles County near Santa Clarita. The burn area is reported to be approximately 6,000 acres with 35 percent containment. A third fire, named the Skirball Fire, is burning in Los Angeles County off the 405 freeway near the Getty Center. The burn area is reported to be 475 acres with 30 percent containment. Areas of direct smoke impacts and Unhealthful air quality include portions of: West San Fernando Valley (Forecast Area 6), East San Fernando Valley (Forecast Area 7), Southwest Los Angeles County Coastal (Forecast Area 3), and Northwest Los Angeles County Coastal (Forecast Area 2). All individuals are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in any area directly impacted by smoke. This includes areas where residents can see or smell smoke. In any area impacted by smoke: Everyone should avoid any vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion; people with respiratory or heart disease, pregnant women, older adults, and children should remain indoors. Keep windows and doors Page 2 of 2 closed or seek alternate shelter. Run your air conditioner if you have one and keep the fresh air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. Avoid using a swamp cooler or whole-house fan to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. To avoid worsening the health effects of smoke, don’t use indoor or outdoor wood-burning appliances, including fireplaces. SCAQMD Advisory updates can be found at the following link: ftp://ftp.aqmd.gov/pub/globalist/Advisory.pdf To subscribe to air quality alerts, advisories and forecasts by email, go to http://AirAlerts.org To view current air quality conditions by region in an interactive map, see http://www3.aqmd.gov/webappl/gisaqi2/home.aspx. Note that during fires, the displayed AQI may not reflect current conditions in all areas. For more information on avoiding health impacts from smoke, see SCAQMD’s Wildfire Smoke & Ash Health & Safety Tips page at: http://www.aqmd.gov/wildfire-health-info-smoke-tips SCAQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. -#- .